I could use some wise counsel about how best to approach the learning of code. Let me explain…

I am a newly-licensed ham (Canadian basic qualification in October and Advanced in November) but have no experience with operating a station. Because of a recent move and being in the midst of major house renovations, all my newly-acquired ham gear is still in boxes; I don’t expect to be able to set it up for a few more weeks. In the interim, I decided to learn code as I am quite interested in using code on the HF bands, perhaps with QRP when I am more experienced. But with no station setup, I am not yet been able to listen to code on the amateur bands.

I started learning code a week ago using AA9PW’s website, which is most helpful. I have learned half the alphabet but no numbers or special characters yet. I am running about 95% accuracy at 10 to 12 WPM with the characters being sent at 15 WPM Farnsworth method. I do not own a key so I have not practiced sending, just receiving.

My questions are twofold:1. Should I spent time learning the rest of the characters, or should I push my receiving speed to a higher level than 10-15 WPM, and learn new characters afterwards. I have found that there seems to be a wall in getting past 15 WPM, almost as if I can’t write fast enough for the code I'm receiving. (Besides which, my handwriting as a retired doc is atrocious!)2. Should I not concentrate on learning received code and instead acquire a key and a practice oscillator to try sending code to myself? If so, what is the best key for a learner?

Other suggestions for an enthusiastic newbie? Thank you for your consideration.

I am no expert, in fact have been trying to master the code now for most of a year (off and on, not steady). I am currently on a plan to have the alphabet, prosigns and punctuation mastered by the end of January, so maybe we can have some QSO's later.

Everything I have read so far says learn to copy well before trying to send. The theory is that once you can "hear" code well, then your sending will be better. This is even more true in Straight Key sending where the rhythm of the dit and dah spacing is completely up to you.

Good for you to have mastered a large part of the alphabet at 15 wpm. For straight key QSO's that is a fine speed to operate at (again from what I read and have listened to).

My vote is to get the rest of the alphabet and a few punctuation and prosigns mastered at 15wpm before anything else. Then your choice either go back and try to get to 20wpm and/or try some on-air QSO's.

I am also in a similar situation however I actually learned code back in the 1980s to get my General class license and never used it. Here I am some 20 plus years later and I have regained an interest in it. I don't own a key yet so I figured this would be an excellent time to reacquire my listening skills. I spent the holiday time in between family things to listen to the K6RAU files just to get the sounds of the letters back into my head. I also downloaded the G4FON and Just Learn Morse Code programs and have yet to dive into those. (All of which I found here on the beginners corner page.) Good luck on your studies and I hope those files help you as well!

Another little thing you can do, which does not require your station, is to use a notebook, write down a column with all the alphabet, numbers, etc... in it, then go up and draw the dits and dahs in after that column over and over. Do this several times per day. Eventually, you will not need that first column to keep you straight. You will be able to write the whole alphabet, numbers, prosigns, Q-codes, and other phrasings without help. You will be surprised at how well this will help you learn code.

Getting on the radio and using CW is the best way to build your self confidence and skill. When I used to help teach at our club, we always had folks write in notebooks, and without a lot of work, a person could pass the 5 wpm code test easily, back when we actually had to pass code tests. This method still works to learn code, but practicing CW is what makes you better, faster, and more confident. There are some great pieces of advice in this forum on how to get practice, like those listed earlier in this very thread.